3

A year later it was official- Kankuro, Gaara, and I- were adopted and now the children of Mikoto and Fugaku Uchiha. They now had five children- four boys and one girl. Mrs. Mikoto was thrilled to finally have a little girl and before the day had even come that it was official our relationship began to look more mother-daughterly. I would volunteer to go with her to run errands and even sit with her to grab tea with Mrs. Kushina. Wed all go shopping as well and Mrs. Mikoto would always buy mea new outfit. She tried dressing me girly and bright- which I didn't mind but I'd always tell her I'd prefer darker colors, but more so purple. Shed also play around with my hair, trying new hairstyles on me with every outtit. I liked my usual four pigtails but there were days she would curl my hair and do half up-half down styles and I'd feel more like a girl.

With being the only girl in the household I would be around Mrs. Mikoto a lot. But there would be days I was forced to be with the boys. I didn't mind atall. I usually could keep up very well with them. Gaara and Kankuro quickly got along well after the events that transpired that fateful night. Naruto and Gaara were practically best friends and Kankuro-as they all began school- befriended a young boy named Kiba. They all slowly became a friend group. Naruto, Saskue, Kankuro, Gaara, Kiba, and two others named Choji and Shikamaru.

Kiba was this rough looking boy that always carried his dog with him. He claimed it was his, "emotion-support' animal and that allowed him to keep him around atall times- even at school. Choji was a round kid that always ate all our snacks in our house. Mr. Fugaku got to the point that he very sternly made rule that if the boys wanted to keep coming over they had to bring their own snacks after Choji ate my favorite snack and I complained. Mr. Fugaku and I have a special relationship. Another perk of being the only daughter.

Shikamaru was a quiet kid... and lazy too. Every time that I saw him, he was practically being dragged along with the group or even being begged to join in on a game. Whenever they pulled pranks he stood off to the side not really caring or hiding so, not to get yelled at. The only words that I heard coming out of his mouth were, "What a drag." And "Troublesome." They seemed to be his favorite sayings. [ always laughed when the rest of the boys would embarrass him or push him to do something out of his comfort-zone. If anything he would prefer to watch the clouds or play Shoji or Go. He always reminded me of a old man. I would always tease him about that. He wouldn't share to many words with me. He would always grumble or look the other way. But that always made it more fun to poke at him. I always wondered why he was so stand offish with me. He was never rude or unkind he would honestly act as if he didn't know the words to say. So, most days I would see him, at most, I would get a greeting and salute "Good-bye". There would be times when the boys would be too much and I would go and watch the clouds with him or even offer a game of Shoji. I could never beat him and those were the only times I'd get a genuine smile out of him. I'd say out of all the boys he was my only friend.

I don't mind that our words are few- it was easy to be around him. And I enjoyed that. There weren't any girls to hang out with so, he made to be just fine. Whenever I did get tired of them or honestly- at any chance Itachi and Shisui were around- I'd always be with them or at least try to hangout with them. Itachi really became a big brother to me along with Shisui. They always checked on me and brought me treats. Whenever he could, Itachi would take me out on dates. Little one-on-ones and he'd always give me a flower. He'd always allow me to choose what we would do. And I'd take these as opportunities to make him do the most out of character things but, he'd always make them look cool. He's the best. After Mr. Fugaku, Itachi and Shisui were the ones teaching me how a man should treat a woman. I'd sit in on Itachi's dates with Izumi from time to time. He would never mind but I could see the look of jealousy in her eyes whenever I'd tag along and most of his attention was on me. I'd always laugh and bug him about it afterwards. There was nothing Itachi wouldn't do for me and I loved that I had someone like him watching over me.

He was a great older brother and just as he would spend time with me, he did with each one of my brothers. Saskue was the first one of the Uchiha's that I called a relative. He spent so much time with my brothers and I that it was so easy to combine them all together. Mrs. Mikoto and Mr. Fugaku cried when I referred to him as such. Sasuke didn't show it but I could tell that it did something to him. Because after I said that he would sit closer to me and even ask me if I wanted to watch a movie with him some nights. Sasuke would act like he was "too cool" but, he was just as big as a softy as all the rest of them… maybe even the softest.

I'd take Saskue out with me when I wanted to go pick flowers. He'd always take this as an opportunity to bug me about what Itachi and I have been doing and talking about during our hang outs. Izumi wasn't the only one a little jealous of our relationship. Sasuke loved that we were an addition to the household but- though he would never admit it- he would want to tag along too when it came to Itachi. I'd take this time to teach him how to treat a girl. He'd always make a disgusted face towards the thought of a girlfriend. He was eight years old and I would tell him, not now, but soon enough he's going to meet someone and actually 'like' her and I wanted him to be a gentleman.

It was no surprise that Sasuke was the "talk of the town" when it came to his looks. Along with Itachi- it was pretty annoying. Because whenever I'd think I was making a breakthrough with a girl friendship, turns out they were only using me to get to one of my brothers. Saskue would be the meaner one whenever he'd find out. Itachi was very gentle and kind to the point you'd never know he was rejecting you and even when you did understand that fact- you'd end up okay with it. Saskue on the other hand would be flat out rude and even made multiple girls on occasion- cry.

But he was always sweet to me. Brought me flowers and even draw me pictures attached to letters he would write. Something we have been working on is expressing our emotions and how we feel and Saskue found it easier to write then to talk. We'll take what we can get. Mrs. Mikoto was grateful for this.

Gaara and Kankuro have been thriving in this new space as I've said before. Gaara had a very close relationship with Mr. Fugaku. He was a policeman and it really interested Gaara. Whenever Mr. Fugaku got home and settled down Gaara would prepare tea and talk to him about his day. Even bombard him with questions. The law always interested Gaara but he still gets in trouble from time to time at school. Gaara still was having trouble controlling his anger and lashing out. At times it would scare Kankuro and I- it was rare but he would get out of control. Mrs. Mikoto and Mr. Fugaku talked him into going to therapy and school counseling. Though there are still times when he's lashes out- since then it has helped a lot. Mr. Fugaku knows that Gaara wants to be good kid and has a good heart and intentions so, he's very patient with him. On occasion he'd bring Gaara to work with him.

Kankuro has this independent attitude. He was easy going and was quickly good at sports. Him and Kiba connected on that. He was a little rough and constantly getting into fights but they were mainly to protect Gaara. Gaara has a scrawny figure and a unique look to him so, he was an easy target at school. But just like Saskue, Kankuro was very rude but more of a class clown. Naruto and him would often get separated in class.

But either way, my brothers are happy here. And thats all I could ever ask for. A lot has happened in the year and a half we've been here. And all I can say is, "Thank God."

When the papers were finalized we took our first family photo together. Saskue sat in-between Gaara and Kankuro on the floor. Itachi stood on the right of Mr. Fugaku and Mrs. Mikoto on the left with her hand on his shoulder. I stood kind of confused on where I should go- hesitant. Mr. Fugaku looked at me kindly and smiled. He patted his lap and motioned me over.

"Come and sit here, Tem." He began that nickname for me. "Take your place here."

I made my way over and climbed onto his lap. Mrs. Mikoto smiled down at me and Itachi squeezed my hand. It's been a while since I sat on my father's lap and in that moment I chose to reminisce on him. I missed him so much and the man he used to be. My heart weighed down as I remembered his eyes and his touch and… his kiss. I began looking down at my hands, trying to hold in tears. This moment meant so much more than accepting the future but also, moving on from the past. Was I ready for this?

Mr. Fugaku may have noticed my change in demeanor. He leaned down closer to me and whispered,

"I am so happy that I get to be your Father."

And in that moment all sadness went away and I was pulled back into the present. As I looked up I saw my brothers fooling around with Saskue and laughing. When I met eyes with Mr. Fugaku all I saw was love. Did I deserve this? No. But he freely gave it.

"Okay!" The photographer called out. "Let's do this!"

We all positioned ourselves, bracing for the flash. As I looked into the camera I accepted this new life. This new family that didn't birth me but still chose me and loved me as if they did. I smiled into the camera and held onto Mr. Fugaku's hand that embraced me at my waist.

The camera's flash went off and tears left my eyes.

It was written in stone. We are a now family.